TEMPEST
Wild and relentless the storm roared,
its might irresistible;
Fearsome force
snapping and erasing so much in its way.
Trees that looked so mighty yesterday
are now mere cricket bats and sticks,
as the winds, play and snap and throw them
Here and there.
The taller the trees, the easier they fall
and yet they looked so gigantic the day before,
when I walked and looked in awe.
Short trees and bushes fare well,
as they spin and bend with the wind.
Poor Daffodils didn’t stand a chance,
Their long slender stems easily snapped.
Garden furniture on the deck were but toys,
easily re-arranged. They slid,
they spun and were placed
Here and there.
Tempest was playing garden design.
As to the fences, the Storm didn’t much care,
gaps appeared easily, at random it seemed,
creating new views and a haven for dogs.
who before only had one garden but now were free.
Me? I had plans for today. Makes me laugh,
how little we know about our days.
As we write our lists, our ambitious agendas.
This is how come I trouble you this morning,
having thrown my list to the wind.
© miriam ivarson
This is a fabulous poem, Miriam. Yes, the wind couldn’t care less about our human agendas. But I do think you better run away from those big trees. Stay safe. Observe from a window.
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Thank you for your warm and complimentary comment Sharon.
The force of nature puts us in our place and I read that you feel the same.
We can do many things … but our strength is of a different kind.
Your concern is so kind, I will do my best to stay away from danger. 😊 .
miriam
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Absolutely stunning. You’re so so talented.
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With a comment like this, what can I do but smile and thank you from my heart. 💕 .
miriam
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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A warm thank you for the re blog. I will head over and say hi.
miriam
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You will be welcome…
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I have heard of life getting in the way, so I suppose it’s only fair that Nature can do it too, and with such style!
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Nature might get in the way of our plans but it just is. Is it smiling or stormy self. Just a thought.
miriam
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I often wonder if these things happen for a reason, one it might be good to know?
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I love this. I see the deeper meaning in your words. It was quite a Storm wasn’t it!
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Thank you Lorraine for your thoughtful comment. You are not far off,
It was a mighty storm in real terms but you read more between.
And you see right. We go through storms and I know you know this well.
Miriam
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Such beauty in the face of such harshness. Despite the danger, we can’t but help but hope for another view. …jc
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Thank you for your lovely comment JC. The storms caused by nature itself
are at times easier to understand than the ones occurring within us.
That is why I throw my plans to the wind. 😊 .
Miriam
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We plan, God laughs. I liked the poem a lot. Stay strong in the storm Miriam.
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Thank you Len, I am glad you liked the poem. Yes, there are many times
when our plans have to be abondoned. Thank you for caring.
miriam
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Delicious poem Miriam. This is a clever reminder that we are not as powerful as we imagine and nature is the real queen.
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Thanks Brad, I do love this expression of yours ” delicious poem”.
Might it be that our strength is of another dimension? Nature in its might is
awesome. Wild with songs that can be frightening.
miriam
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I hope we discover our “talents” as a species that hopefully go beyond overuse/misuse of the planet’s resources.
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Beautiful poem, Miriam. I’m actually glad that there are things in the world that humans can’t control.
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Thank you Diana, your comment makes me happy.
You are not wrong in your conclusion, maybe we are as yet not fit to control
as much as we do.
miriam
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did nature’s little
hiccup cause
a little change
of plans?
why of course
it did, dear Miriam 🙂
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Dear David, it was a big hiccup.😊
Its roar and might
Its fearful strength
Made me stay quiet
Peacefully doing peaceful things.
Miriam
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A wonderful and descriptive poem, Miriam. I love the second stanza.
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Robbie, thank you for your lovely comment.
I am glad you liked it and took to the playful
second stanza.
Miriam
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Sagacious… A fantastic poem, Miriam!
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Wow … thank you Bette, you brought a big smile to me. 🤗 .
Miriam
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Hugs & Happy Weekend! ❤
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We can observe and know that Nature will take its course, hoping that our course is inclusive rather than disruptive.
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Thank you Ken, I do agree about observing Nature in all its moods. It is both beautiful and wild … and at times makes us feel small.
How true you speak about us and our course. Being inclusive instead of disruptive.
miriam
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All it takes is for a tempest to remind us that we are not in control. As you say, “Makes me laugh, / how little we know about our days.”
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You are so right Rosaliene, our control is quite limited really. We are very dependent on nature in spite of great technological advances.
Nevertheless we need to have some structure to our days or there would be chaos.
Even if this structure gets erased. 😊 .
miriam
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Super post!! Especially, in light of the tornadoes in the U.S. – Bravo!
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Thank you for your spontaneous response, it is warming.
I have seen the storms and tornados in U.S. and currently we have some
bad storms ourselves. Tornados are rare here though.
All of them are powerful beyond understanding.
miriam
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Reading your poems today has made my day!! Thank you so much for your wonderful words! I can see I’m going to have to spend time in your archive, Miriam!!
xoxoxo
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A poem for March. I love the first picture.
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Thank you Brian for your comment. The picture is a free Pixaby, I fell for it too. 😊.
miriam
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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I am delighted about the re-blog. Thank you Chuck.
Miriam
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Bravo, Miriam. This is at the top of the list of my favorite poems of yours. The storm is well-described and I love the ending.
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A heartfelt thank you Jaqui, I am sure the poem is very proud of being on top
of your list.
Do you also feel at times like throwing it to the winds 😊. Glad you liked the
happy ending.
Miriam
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Mother Nature’s fury captured so well! Those who “spin and bend with the wind” conveys a profound thought, Miriam. Well-done!
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Thank you Balroop for your lovely response. When you took up the lines above I thought how fascinating writing is. We could discuss psychology, philosophy and practicality from just some words. 🌻 .
Miriam
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Love this poem, Miriam, especially the ending!
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Thank you Jennifer, I am glad you were attracted to this poem.
As to the ending, nothing like a grand finale. Throwing plans to the wind
can be quite liberating and so is talking to you all here. 😊 .
Miriam
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I agree!
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A powerful evocation of Nature’s strength, and even more so of its effect on you. I enjoyed reading your poem, Miriam.
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I do value your comments highly Roland, so thank you.
Nature does affect most of us very much and rightly so.
It makes me smile that I am that obvious in my reactions.
Miriam
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Miriam, I’m glad you came to troubling us today with this poem, even if the reason was the stormy weather. You capture the Tempest with magic realism, gentle lyricism … your words weaving back and forth in harmony with the wind. This has a tantalising rhythm and paints vivid images, of the dancing tables, the poor daffodils, the fences struggling to remain upright. Hope the ‘Fearsome force’ has now eased and you can return to some of your list items – writing more poetry had better be on there! hugs xx 😀🌸
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Fabulous poem Miriam that captures all the vagaries of the wind and the storm.
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Thank you for your beautiful comment Andrea.
As to the storms and winds I am sure you have felt it up where you live.
Its drama is spectacular even if frightening.
miriam
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Annika, what can I say to this comment except a resounding Thank You.
Really, you have written me the most beautiful review of this poem. Amazing
gift to give.
The ” Fearsome force ” has abated and after this I feel I should write more often and put it on top of the list. 😊. Come sun or storm. 💕
Miriam
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There is nothing like a tornado or hurricane to teach us humility, Miriam. And you have captured the force of nature beautifully. I remember hiding out once in a brick outhouse along the Natchez Trace as a tornado passed nearby. The ultimate in scary. And a lesson in what is important. –Curt
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment Curt. You are right about
teaching. In the face of the force of nature we certainly are humbled
and if we listen, we see what is important. Just as you say.
A great teacher is nature, be it in storms or soft smiles.
Miriam
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I really like the “soft smiles.”
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This is wonderful, Miriam! A good testament to well-laid plans gone awry courtesy of Nature. Although we could do without the destruction. Still, Nature reminds us she’s in charge 🙂
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Thank you so much Julie, your comment makes me smile. I had in mind the phrase ‘ best laid plans by mice and man often go awry’ .
Yes, we could do without the destruction both by man and nature. Against nature’s forces we are but tiny cells.🌻 .
Miriam
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Vivid imagery! I felt like I was standing on the porch or looking out the window. Poor Daffodils. I don’t like to cut them unless there’s a storm coming. Sometimes it’s good to be flexible.
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Thank you JoAnna for you lovely comment. Do you also feel
the awe as you stand on your porch and watch the spectacle?
Like you, I am loathe to cut the joyful Daffodils.
Miriam
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I do feel the awe. Lots of energy in storms.
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YES! How I’d love to throw my list to the wind. But, of course, every day I write my list so I remember what I’m supposed to remember. But every day, the wind changes my course. Excellent poem literally, but metaphorically also. xo
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Pam, thank you for your beautiful response. I am very touched by your kind
and encouraging words. Every day the wind changes its course you say.
Wonderful expression – and true.
Some days plans almost get done … today has been a bit like that
so I will rest on my laurals.☕️ .
Miriam
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Lovely laurels, Miriam. 🙂
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Wow awesome and brilliant poetry, Miriam. What a tempest. Too good
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Kamal, your comment makes my heart sing. Sing because it reached
your heart and you felt so much positive. What better can any scribbler ask. 😊 .
miriam
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Do you know the La Fontaine fable « the oak and the Cattail. »? Your poem reminds me of it. After a storm the light is so clean! B
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Dear B, I recognise the name and title but haven’t read it. I now feel in
very good company. Will search for the fable.
You are so right about the light and air after a storm. So very clear.
hug
Miriam
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